The winters in Phoenix are beautiful. Natives rejoice when the long summer days are over as they receive their reward of perfect weather for surviving the long, dry summers. Those new to Phoenix will wonder why they ever thought of living anywhere else. That is until the dry summers creep back in late May. How do you survive the summer? The natives know all the tips and tricks, but it can be a little scary to know how to navigate your first summer in Arizona. Here are 5 things you will notice when you navigate a Phoenix dry summer.
Find the nearest A/C
You will soon learn that a lot of people from Phoenix, Arizona are not rocking a golden tan. That is because you will learn to love to hibernate. If you have not already noticed, there are a lot of indoor things to do in Phoenix, Arizona. From fancy movie theaters and ice rinks to retractable roofs at sporting venues, and many more. As wonderful as the winters & springs are in Phoenix, the summers are hot and the Phoenicians are well prepared. You will quickly discover that any activity indoors will be your favorite activity.
Drink lots of water…like a lot.
If you are going to survive a Phoenix summer you are going to need to befriend a watering hole. It might be hard to find a watering hole in the Sonoran Desert, but you will want to make sure you are staying hydrated. Warm temperatures will quickly dehydrate you and sometimes you will not even realize how dehydrated you really are in the sun. Heat strokes and heat exhaustion are common during the summers if you do not drink enough water.
Did I mention water? Take a dip in the nearest pool.
There are plenty of community pools and water parks nearby to keep cool. Trust me when I say that you will become a fan of water. Checkout Sunsplash in Mesa or Big Surf, which has been providing Arizona locals summer fun for over 50 years! If you are in the North Phoenix area you have to checkout the new Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (formally Wet n Wild).
Since Phoenix is not the most popular summer destination, a lot of the resorts around the valley offer discounted hotel rates (many of which have water parks on property). This is a great way to stay cool and get out of the house! If you are looking for some fun without the kiddos, check out some of the pool parties that happen across the valley! One popular place for adults to hang out during the summer is at Talking Stick Resort at the RELEASE parties where popular DJs come to the valley of the sun for some summer fun! There is water fun for all ages in Phoenix.
Everyone wakes up early
If you were not an early bird before, you sure will be now. You will start to notice all your neighbors are out of the house before 6 am to get a run, hike or walk in. The mornings are mild compared to the hot temperatures that are on the horizon. If you are not much of an early bird, but want to go for a walk, malls around the city open their doors early so you can stroll in the air conditioning. Plus you will get to window shop and not have to worry about the heat rolling in during the middle of your stroll.
Take a day trip up north!
Although Phoenix is toasty, northern Arizona has perfect summers! Many of those living in the Phoenix area have summertime homes up north so when the weather in Phoenix is getting too hot to handle, they sneak away to the perfect temperatures northern Arizona has to offer. Some of us do not have the luxury of owning two homes, but the fact you can escape the heat in less than an hour and a half to towns such as Prescott or Flagstaff, Arizona means that you can easily make a day trip up north!
Your first summer in Phoenix will take some getting used to, but the nice thing is it is only a season. The days are warm, but remember it’s a dry heat. Many Phoenicians agree that if you make it through an Arizona summer, you can make it through anything!
